Latest news with #TheBigCatSanctuary
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kent big cat sanctuary welcomes new snow leopard cub
An animal sanctuary has announced the birth of a snow leopard cub after months of dedicated cub, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on 10 successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for mother Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound chef and charity ambassador Paul Hollywood said: "Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heart-warming." Little Lady weighed 630g (1.4lb) at her first health check when she was five days is just the second female snow leopard to be born at the centre, after her sister Zaya in Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade."This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species," said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary. Additional reporting from PA Media.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Watch: Rare snow leopard cub born in Kent following groundbreaking ultrasound
A rare snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, marking what conservationists are calling an 'amazing achievement' in the effort to save this endangered species. The female cub, affectionately nicknamed 'Little Lady,' was born on May 10, following a groundbreaking ultrasound in April that confirmed mother Laila's pregnancy. Trainer Simon Jackaman, who spent months preparing Laila, said her calm and composed response defied expectations for such a famously shy species. 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming,' said Jackaman. Little Lady is the newest addition to Laila's growing family and the younger sister to three previous cubs.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
What a lovely Little Lady! Kent animal sanctuary announces birth of sweet snow leopard cub
An endangered snow leopard cub has been welcomed to the world in an animal sanctuary in Kent. Little Lady was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary to mum Laila on May 10 weighing just 630g (1lb 6oz) at her first health check when she was five days old. Her successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman. Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her 'calm nature' during the process, Mr Jackaman explained. Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary celebrity chef Paul Hollywood has said he 'cannot wait' to meet the new cub. He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming. 'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.' Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 - Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. 'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
